Kalyana Saugandhikam - Kottayam Thampuran(1645 to 1716)                                                               BACK

One of the most popular among Kathakali plays, not insignificantly due to the main characters being the strongest in Mahabharatha and Ramayana and also step brothers, meeting in tender as well as hilarious circunstances with a wife's unending entreaties providing the background, this story is taken from Aranya Parva of Mahabharatha.

 Pandavas were spending their time in visiting holy places while Arjuna had gone to do Tapas to Lord Shiva. At this stage Bhima requests Yudhishtira to allow him to fight the Kauravas immediately; but he is asked to wait for a proper time. Bhima kills a demon called Jatasura who lives like a brahmin along with the Pandavas. Also Krishna visits Pandavas in their journeys. Afterwards Ghatothkacha helps them to go through difficult terrains of the forest.

One day Bhima and Panchali were in the forest when a cool breeze dropped a most beautiful flower at the feet of Panchali. Panchali wanted more of these flowers and Bhima goes out along the way the wind was blowing in search of the flower. He crosses the great Gandhamadana mountain seeing most horrible sights on the way. Bhima's heroism shakes the forests and also Hanuman's Tapas is disturbed. Hanuman understands that his brother is on the way (In happiness Ashta Kalasha).

There is quite a bit of humour in Hanuman's character. To test Bhima's strength and also to bless him Hanuman lies down on his way shamming as an old monkey (reminds Shakespeare-lovers of Falstaff shamming death). Bhima is infuriated seeing the monkey. Hanuman tells Bhima to shift his tail with his mace and proceed on his way. When Bhima attempts to lift his tail he fails and is mortified by the strength of Hanuman. Hanuman reveals his real form and also blesses Bhima for the ensuing war with the Kauravas. Hanuman tells him where to get the flowers and the brothers part in great happiness.

 In this story the Pandavas and Krishna are Pacha vesham, Jatasura is Red Beard, Ghatothkacha is Kathi, Hanuman is White Beard and the rest are Minuku.